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Heritage and Rare Chickens

On this page, you will find all of the chicken breeds we have on our farm.

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What Type Of Chicken Are You Looking For?

There are many different breeds to choose from but to make it easier I have made two categories for you. **We sell mainly 1-2 day old chicks, hatching eggs if available. There are only limited amounts of pullets and older birds available, and usually only near the end of the summer or if we are downsizing.

Layer/Dual-Purpose Chickens
Meat Chickens

Layer/Dual-Purpose Chickens

All of our layers are hearty dual-purpose birds well suited for Alberta's winter weather. The great benefit of dual-purpose heritage birds is that they can be used for both eggs and meat if needed.

Isabel Americauna  

The Isabel Americauna lay a blue egg. We have them in with our Black Copper Marans so we are currently hatching both easter and Olive eggers from them. 

Salmon Favorelles 

This is a French breed developed in the 1860s in North-Central France. Favorelles were originally bred for meat and eggs. They have a beard, muffs, and feathered feet.  They do well in both confinement and free-ranging. A very docile bird, great with kids and small farmsteads. Being very good layers, they lay 4-5 light pink- to brownish eggs per week on average.

French Black & Black Copper Marans 

Bred originally in Maran, France, this unique breed is known and sought after for its dark, chocolate-colored eggs. Between 4-5 months old, they will start laying these unique colored eggs for you. They are considered a quiet and gentle breed and are also very winter hardy! You will notice with French Black Copper Marans, have fully feathered feet and legs.

Lavender Orpingtons

Lavender Orpingtons are a calm, friendly heritage chicken known for their beautiful lavender-grey plumage and reliable productivity. They’re a true dual-purpose breed, laying around 280-315 large brown eggs per year while also growing into a solid, well-rounded bird suitable for meat, making them a great choice for sustainable, self-reliant farms.

Isabel Americauna

This color of Americauna are a beautiful Isabel color. They are also very docile and great egg layers, laying about 220-280 brown eggs per year.

Salmon Favorelles

This is a French breed developed in the 1860s in North-Central France. Favorelles were originally bred for meat and eggs. They have a beard, muffs, and feathered feet.  They do well in both confinement and free-ranging. A very docile bird, great with kids and small farmsteads. Being very good layers, they lay 4-5 light pink- to brownish eggs per week on average.

Black Copper Marans

Bred originally in Maran, France, this unique breed is known and sought after for its dark, chocolate-colored eggs. Between 4-5 months old, they will start laying these unique colored eggs for you. They are considered a quiet and gentle breed and are also very winter hardy! You will notice with French Black Copper Marans, have fully feathered feet and legs.

Lavender Orpington

Lavender Orpingtons are a calm, friendly heritage chicken known for their beautiful lavender-grey plumage and reliable productivity. They’re a true dual-purpose breed, laying around 280-315 large brown eggs per year while also growing into a solid, well-rounded bird suitable for meat, making them a great choice for sustainable, self-reliant farms.

BBS- Blue, Black Splash Bresse-

BBS (Blue, Black, Splash) chickens are valued for their strong genetic diversity, making them an excellent choice for long-term, sustainable breeding programs. They are fantastic layers of smaller eggs and are known for their friendly, easygoing temperament, making them a great fit for family farms and mixed flocks.

 

Favresson- New Breed limited available 2026  

The Favresson is a unique poultry breed, developed to combine exceptional flavor, sustainability, and a robust, healthy body. Known for its tender, flavorful meat, this bird thrives in a free-range environment. Created with a focus on quality and self-sufficiency, the Favresson is a premium addition to any farm or table. (This is a dual-purpose chicken-Finished weight is 6-8 pounds, reaching maturity in 3-5 months, and laying 280-300 eggs per year. Please note, we cannot guarantee color.)

Meat Chickens

Here you will find the top birds we breed for meat. These are all free-range birds that eat mostly grass, bugs, and scraps. They are easier to care for and raise. They are also good egg layers, which is a bonus!

White Canadian Bresse

These are fast-growing, very intelligent birds. The Bresse has been established through 500 years of French tradition and is known as the best-tasting chicken in the world!! They prefer to free-range and forage for their food and finish best when put into a smaller area for the last 2 weeks of finish time. The grow-to-finish time is 4-5 months and they average 5-7lbs. finished depending on how they are raised. 

Russian Orloff (endangered) 

The Russian Orloff is tall, with a muff and beard and a very thickly feathered neck, minuscule wattles, and a cushion/strawberry pea comb. Russian Orloff males should weigh 8.5 pounds and females 6.5 pounds. They were primarily favored for meat production. They tolerate cold and bad weather and can survive when other breeds cannot. Russian Orloffs are indifferent layers of small/medium light brown eggs, laying only about 100 eggs a year.

Fred

Thank you New Beginnings Poultry and Ducks for the excellent quality chicks which are now full-grown hens! Supporting local family farms in Sturgeon County is also supporting your neighbors and friends! I highly recommend them for healthy, beautiful poultry of all kinds!

Rick

I started off knowing nothing about owning roosters 🐓 n chickens.  I contacted you a month before my decision and commitment to bring such a flock onto my acreage. Within that month you taught me knowledge from breeds of roosters n chickens 🐔,  to having a homemade coop, including winterizing one, water feed, nesting, lighting, etc...

 

Featured Bundles- Available 2026

The featured bundles are available to members of The Farmstead Essentials Academy. If you are not a member, feel free to contact us to see what we have available.  For a custom order, you will need to contact us to place your order. If you need help deciding or have questions, we are happy to help!

Beginner Layers Package

$275

We recommend a minimum of 15 layers to start for beginners.

  • 15 Available chicks
  • support & encouragement
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Online Courses

$297

Bundle Courses & Save (Value $649)

  • Raising Poultry Online Course

  • Egg Hatching for Beginners Online Course

  • Raising & Training Maremmas Online Course

  • support & encouragement

BUY NOW

Custom Orders

Top features

  • Pick Any Quanity Of Birds
  • Re-stock Your Flock
  • Experiment with different types of birds
  • Can't make up Your Mind To Many To Choose From
  • Chicken Math has completely taken over your life.
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Farmstead Essentials Academy

Online Courses, a community of like-minded farmers, and questions answered by experts to guide you through your learning journey. SIGN UP For Our Free Online Workshop to Learn More!

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Raising Poultry for Beginners Course

This online course will teach you the fundamental basics of raising chickens to guide you in raising your backyard flock the way nature intended. This is the online version of our in-person farm course. NEW COURSE!

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If you would like to place an order or if you need help with your order please contact us we are happy to help!

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